Many cities have walking tours–what a wonderful way to experience an area! New York City, Washington D. C., Seattle, and San Francisco all have walking tours, and Boston by Foot is especially oriented to children ages 6–12.

See if there are walking tours near you. Feel, smell and taste your way around your favorite locale. It’s an up close and personal experience. It’s fun too!

In our Local Homeschooling section, among the Support Group listings, we have added business listings. These are companies that want to serve the homeschool community. They may have special homeschool hours, special discounts, lesson plans, etc.

Companies that have been added in the last month include the Brooklyn School of Music, Crossing Borders (Texas), North Georgia College & State University, Greek Peak Resorts, A Plus Tutoring in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Fairy Tale Princess Events (Maryland and Virginia), Henricus Historical Park (Virginia), Kitty Hawk Kites (North Carolina), Music Showcase and the Florida Academy of Performing Arts, the Tutoring Club of Charlotte, North Carolina, Kumon Math & Reading Center of Matthews, North Carolina, Mathnasium of Chula Vista, California, Bright Star Tutors (New Jersey) and More.

The July 2011 edition of Popular Mechanics has an article entitled 101 Gadgets That Changed The World. The magazine defines a gadget as something you can hold in your hands, is a mass-produced personal item, and is an item that evolved from novelty to necessity.

Here, are just a few items that made their list–

# 1– Smart Phone

# 4 — Hypodermic Syringe

# 20 — Remote Control

# 33 — Microwave

# 46 — Fire Extinguisher

# 54 — Ballpoint Pen

# 65 — Zipper

# 73 — Printer

# 95 — Super Soaker

# 99 — Stapler

#101– Duct Tape

Have your kids make a list of their top 10 gadgets and have them explain their ranking. It will be fun–and fun learning is forever learning!

How do you get your kids to hear you calling them in the house? Or how do you let them know you’re in the parking lot and it’s time to be picked up? House intercoms, cell phones and texting are great — but I have other ways that I get my kids’ attention.

In the house–if the kids are in their rooms, playing with friends, or listening to music–rather than yelling for them by name (which doesn’t work–they don’t hear me)–I ring the door bell. The kids know that when the doorbell rings nonstop, they are to come to the top of the stairs, where I can talk to them. They ALWAYS come–they don’t ignore it. It really works.

For out and about, we have a family honk. If the kids are swimming in the lake, and I’m in the parking lot–they know I’m there. Our family honk goes something like this–Beep. Beep. Beep Beep Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep Beep Beep Beeeeeeeppppppp. Really–this is great–the kids come running–and for some reason, they’re not embarrassed by it.

Our modes of communication are rather fun. And fun learning is forever learning!

Behind the Mist, is a wholesome, values-filled fantasy book written for 9 to 15 year olds, with an emphasis on the younger readers. Author, M.J. Evans has created a heartwarming story of a young boy, his horse and their extraordinary adventures as they attempt to save a lost soul. Through her writing Evans teaches that being a role model through good virtues and morals is important. Behind the Mist presents a Christian centered theme.

Children and young teens who enjoy fantasy with its classic struggle between good and evil will appreciate this book. You can purchase the book on the websites www.behindthemist.com or www.themisttrilogy.com or wherever fine books are sold.

Gardening is fun and educational and the website Taste of Home has an informative article on how to encourage your children to have fun in the dirt. I found out about this article from one of our readers, Susan Williams. Susan wrote in when I asked individuals to share their blogs with us. Susan’s blog can be found at http://www.worldforlearning.com/blog.

From Taste of Home, the ten best plants for kids to grow are-

Sugar snap peas. Kids love to eat them fresh off the vine.

Lettuce. Easy to grow and lots of cool color varieties.

Radishes. Within a month, these fast growers are ready to pick. Just for giggles, try red, white and purple varieties.

Carrots. Quick-growing carrots are perfect for short attention spans.

Potatoes. Kids really dig potatoes, which are as much fun to harvest as to eat.

Green beans. The big seeds are fun and easy to plant.

Cherry tomatoes. Little hands love to pick these tiny fruits.

Pumpkins. Plant a smaller variety, like Jack Be Little, for your smaller helpers.

Sunflowers. These beauties take off without much work, and come in tall or small varieties. Plus, it’s fun to harvest the seeds, or leave out the seed heads to attract birds.

Broccoli. Like many veggies, garden-fresh broccoli tastes sweeter than store-bought.

Usually I end with my “Fun learning is forever learning” line, but today, I’m going to use a line from Taste of Home–Remember…. one of the most important things you’ll ever grow…. is a gardener! How fun!

Our very large dog (100 lbs), is 15 years old. Up until the last year, people commented about what great shape he was in. Now, they comment, on his age. He’s starting to look and act like an elderly fellow.

I realize one day, very soon, our family pet, will no longer be with us. So–how do I soften the upcoming blow and make this a learning experience for my kids as well? We’ve talked about his aging–they can definitely see it. And I had them go with me to the last vet visit–where the vet prescribed joint medication, talked about his cataracts, his minor skin irritations, and actually said there was no point in updating any vaccinations other than his rabies shot. The kids read between the lines….they understood.

On the way home from the vet, they discussed ways to make their dog’s last months….or year….or hopefully more…. an enjoyable experience. They decided to take him on daily walks and take him to the dog beach when possible. And best of all–they’re following through!

Pets are a wonderful addition to our families. They teach our children so much. Right now, our dog is teaching my children about aging. They are responding with increased empathy and compassion. I am very proud of them.

Eventually, my kids will learn about loss. I already have the books Dog Heaven and Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant in our family library. These are amazing books that I think all pet owners should own.

With so much to see, experience and learn, you’re likely to need more than one visit to the Outer Banks to take in all of the extraordinary attractions in the area. Following, is a list of some of our favorite attractions (in no particular order):